Diving Flipper

ABSTRACT

A diving flipper ( 10 ) for propulsion in water, comprising
         a shoe part ( 100 ) for receiving a foot of a user, and   a flipper part ( 200 ) having two ribs ( 210 ) and a blade ( 220 ) fastened to the ribs ( 210 ), wherein the ribs ( 210 ) are arranged on both sides of a median plane (M) of the diving flipper ( 10 ), and each have dorsal and plantar edges ( 250, 251 ) in the transverse direction of the ribs ( 210 ) and distal and proximal ends ( 260, 261 ) in the longitudinal direction of the ribs ( 210 ), and   fastening devices ( 300 ) for fastening the ribs ( 210 ) to the shoe part ( 100 ),
 
wherein the dorsal edge ( 250 ) of at least one rib ( 210 ) is inclined relative to the median plane (M) of the diving flipper ( 10 ), so that the dorsal edges ( 250 ) have less of a distance to each other than the plantar edges ( 251 ) of the ribs ( 210 ) to each other, wherein the ribs ( 210 ) elastically deform relative to each other at least in sections in the direction of the median plane (M) of the diving flipper ( 10 ) in the event of an external application of force to the flipper part ( 200 ) in the plantar direction.

The invention relates to a diving flipper for propulsion in water,comprising

-   -   a shoe part for receiving a foot of a user, and    -   a flipper part having two ribs and a blade fastened to the ribs,        wherein the ribs are arranged on both sides of a median plane of        the diving flipper, and each have dorsal and plantar edges in        the transverse direction of the ribs and distal and proximal        ends in the longitudinal direction of the ribs, and    -   fastening devices for fastening the ribs to the shoe part.

As a rule, diving flippers are provided to allow a certain mobility andspeed for a user or diver in the water, while simultaneously reducingthe energy or force of the diver to be expended for this purpose.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved diving flipper.

This object is achieved by inclining the dorsal edge of at least one ribrelative to the median plane of the diving flipper, so that the dorsaledges have less of a distance to each other than the plantar edges ofthe ribs to each other, wherein the ribs elastically deform relative toeach other at least in sections in the direction of the median plane ofthe diving flipper in the event of an external application of force tothe flipper part in the plantar direction.

This increases the maneuverability of the diver in the water, whereinthe diver can also move backward more easily, i.e., with less of a forceexpenditure.

The anatomical positional designations, such as “dorsal” and “plantar”,are generally known to the expert, and relate to the diving flipper orto the foot of a user or diver received in the diving flipper.

Let it be noted that a “median plane” represents a special case of aso-called “sagittal plane”, wherein a sagittal plane denotes a planethat extends from the top (dorsal) downward (plantar) and the back(proximal) toward the front (distal). A median plane is a sagittal planethat runs through the middle of the body, and quasi divides the bodyinto a right and left half, wherein it must be noted that—in relation tothe present application—the median plane does not represent a symmetryplane, since a foot of a user is not symmetrical, so that embodiments ofthe shoe part need not be symmetrically constructed to receive the footof a user. In this conjunction, “body” or “middle of the body” hererefers to the diving flipper.

However, it can be provided that the shoe part be symmetricallyconstructed.

It can be provided that the diving flipper be symmetrically constructedaround its median plane.

The dorsal edges of both ribs can advantageously be inclined toward eachother to the median plane of the diving flipper, so that the dorsaledges have less of a distance to each other than the plantar edges ofthe ribs to each other.

The ribs are flatly designed, wherein the ribs are arranged inclined onthe shoe part in such a way that—as already mentioned—the dorsal edgesof the ribs are spaced more closely apart from each other over thelength of the ribs than the plantar edges of the ribs from each otherover the length of the ribs.

In general, a user or diver with diving flippers moves in the water byexecuting a leg kick in a stroke direction, with the stroke directionessentially being in a plantar direction or in a direction against thedesired direction of movement. Each leg kick in the stroke directionresults in a forward motion of the diver, wherein the corresponding leg,and hence the diving flipper as well, must be pulled against the strokedirection in order to again perform a leg kick in the stroke direction.

When the user lunges to again kick a leg in the stroke direction, thewater resists the motion against the stroke direction by exerting aforce in the plantar direction, wherein the ribs here elastically deformat least in sections relative to each other in the direction of themedian plane of the diving flipper due to the angled arrangement of theribs on the shoe part. The deformation of the ribs in the direction ofthe median plane of the diving flipper also causes the blade to deform,wherein the surface of the blade is essentially tensioned between theribs and flat in design in a resting position of the diving flipper, andcurved if the ribs are deformed as mentioned above.

The curved surface of the blade can also lead to a “backward swimming”with the diving flipper.

Because of this elastic deformation of the ribs, the ribs becomeprestressed to some extent, and act as relaxing mechanical springsduring a renewed leg kick in the stroke direction, wherein the restoringforce that results in the process significantly reduces the forceexpended by the diver to move forward.

It can be provided that the dorsal edges be inclined to the median planein the transverse direction of the ribs by an angle of 10° to 60°,preferably of 20° to 50°, preferably of 30° to 50°, in particular by45°.

It can be provided that at least one rib, preferably each rib, becomprised of at least one first and one second layer, wherein the secondlayer is shorter than the first layer.

It can also be provided that at least one rib be comprised of additionallayers, for example three or four layers. It can here be provided thateach layer have a varying length.

The second layer preferably has at most a length of up to ⅔ of thelength of the first layer, in particular at most of up to ⅓ of thelength of the first layer.

As a result of the two layers, which have a varying length, the springeffect mentioned further above can be strengthened, or the latter can becorrespondingly adjusted.

It can be provided that the first and/or second layer be tapered in thedirection of the distal end of a rib.

It can be provided that the second layer be more strongly tapered thanthe first layer.

As a result of the tapering, the aforementioned spring effect can befurther improved or adjusted.

If at least one rib is comprised of several layers, for example of threeor four, each layer can be tapered to varying degrees.

It can be provided that the first and the second layer be connected witheach other by means of an adhesive.

The advantage to this is that the ribs as a whole are more lightweightthan, for example, layers connected by means of screws or the like.

It can be provided that the ribs be manufactured out of glass fiber,carbon fiber or bamboo laminate. It is clear that the aforementionedmaterials are regarded as composite materials, wherein the compositematerials are designed as fiber material with a resin matrix, forexample a glass fiber fabric with an epoxide or similar resin.

It can be provided that the distal ends of the ribs have a largerdistance to each other than the proximal ends of the ribs to each other.

It can be provided that the blade be manufactured out of a polyesterfabric or nylon fabric, in particular out of Dacron.

It can be provided that at least one expansion element be arranged on adistal end section of at least one rib, preferably on each rib, and beset up to expand the extension of the rib in a transverse direction,preferably in a plantar direction.

These expansion elements conduct the water flow into the center of theblade. They enlarge the blade on the one hand, and prestress the ribsduring a motion against the stroke direction on the other.

It can be provided that the expansion elements have a distance to thecorresponding rib, wherein the distance preferably measures between 5and 15 mm, in particular 10 mm.

This ensures that water can flow through between the expansion elementand the rib, which yields a more effective forward movement.

It can be provided that the shoe part be manufactured out of polyamideor polypropylene.

It can be provided that the blade only be connected with the ribs. As aresult of the opening thereby created between the blade and shoe part,the proximal edge of the blade (the edge that faces the shoe part)serves as a leading edge for the water, in particular when the blademoves against the stroke direction (moves in a dorsal direction). Thisreduces the force expended by the diver or user, which improves forwardmotion in the water.

The invention will be explained in more detail below based uponexemplary drawings. Shown on:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary diving flipper,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the diving flipper on FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view along the A-A cut of the diving flipperon FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is a side view of a rib of the diving flipper on FIG. 1, whereinthe rib has a first and a second layer,

FIG. 5 is a front view of the rib on FIG. 4, and

FIG. 6 are schematic sequential motions of the diving flipper in thewater.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary diving flipper 10 for propelling a user ordiver in the water, wherein the diving flipper 10 has a shoe part 100for receiving a foot of the user, a flipper part having two ribs 210 anda blade 220 fastened to the ribs 210, wherein the ribs 210 are arrangedon both sides of a median plane M of the diving flipper 10, and eachhave dorsal and plantar edges 250, 251 in the transverse direction ofthe ribs 210 and distal and proximal ends 260, 261 in the longitudinaldirection of the ribs 210, wherein the distal ends 260 of the ribs 210have a larger distance to each other than the proximal ends 261 of theribs 210 to each other, and fastening devices 300 for fastening the ribs210 to the shoe part 100.

An expansion element 400 is further arranged on the ribs 210 at arespective distal end section 262 of the rib 210, which is set up toexpand the extension of the corresponding rib 210 in a transversedirection—an expansion in the plantar direction in the example shown.The expansion elements 400 here have a distance to the corresponding rib210, and do not directly abut against the rib 210, wherein the distancemeasures 10 mm in the embodiment shown.

As more clearly evident on FIG. 2, the ribs 210 each comprise a grooveor notch 310 at their proximal ends 261, which is provided for a stopnot visible on the figures in receiving openings 320 of the shoe part100 provided for fastening the ribs 210. In addition, the ribs 210 eachcomprise a first fastening recess 330, and the receiving openings 320 ofthe shoe part 100 each comprise two second fastening openings 340.

In order to fasten the ribs 210 to the shoe part 100, the ribs 210 areinserted into the receiving openings 320 of the shoe part 100, whereinthe notch 310 of the ribs 210 hits the stop inside of the receivingopenings 320, so that the first fastening recess 330 of the ribs 210 andthe two second fastening openings 340 of the receiving openings 320overlap in such a way that the latter can receive a bolt or a screw 350for immovably fixing the ribs 210 to the shoe part 100.

As shown on FIG. 3 in detail, the dorsal edges 250 of the ribs 210 areeach inclined to each other by an angle β to the median plane M of thediving flipper 10, so that the dorsal edges 250 have a smaller distanceto each other than the plantar edges 251 of the ribs 210 to each other,wherein the ribs 210 elastically deform relative to each other at leastin sections in the direction of the median plane M of the diving flipper10 in the event of an external application of force to the flipper part200 in the plantar direction. The dorsal edges 250 in the transversedirection of the ribs 210 are inclined by an angle β of 45° to themedian plane M in the embodiment shown on the figures.

In the example shown, each rib 210 consists of a first and a secondlayer 211, 212, wherein the second layer 212 is shorter than the firstlayer 211, and wherein the first and the second layer 211, 212 areconnected with each other by means of an adhesive 213, as visible onFIG. 4. The first and the second layer 211, 212 are each tapered in thedirection of the distal end 260 of a rib 210, wherein the second layer212 is more strongly tapered than the first layer 211, as visible onFIG. 5. The layers 211, 212 of the ribs can here be manufactured out ofglass fiber, carbon fiber or bamboo laminate.

FIG. 6 shows schematic sequential motions of the diving flipper duringan upward movement (movement against the stroke direction), asubsequently downward movement (movement in the stroke direction), and arenewed upward movement (movement against the stroke direction).

The first upward movement of the diving flipper on FIG. 6 shows a userlunging into a leg kick in the stroke direction, wherein the divingflipper must here be moved opposite the stroke direction, wherein thewater resists the motion against the stroke direction by exerting aforce in the plantar direction, wherein the ribs here elastically deformat least in sections relative to each other in the direction of themedian plane of the diving flipper due to the angled arrangement of theribs on the shoe part, as visible in the first sequence of motions. Thedeformation of the ribs in the direction of the median plane of thediving flipper also causes the blade to deform, wherein the surface ofthe blade is essentially tensioned between the ribs and flat in designin a resting position of the diving flipper, and curved if the ribs aredeformed as mentioned above. The curved surface of the blade can alsolead to a “backward swimming” with the diving flipper.

Because of this elastic deformation of the ribs, the ribs becomeprestressed to some extent, and act as relaxing mechanical springsduring a renewed leg kick in the stroke direction, wherein the restoringforce that results in the process significantly reduces the forceexpended by the diver to move forward. Such a sequence of motions isdepicted in the downward movement on FIG. 6.

REFERENCE LIST

-   Diving flipper 10-   Shoe part 100-   Flipper part 200-   Ribs 210-   Blade 220-   Dorsal edges 250-   Plantar edges 251-   Distal end 260-   Proximal end 261-   Distal end section 262-   Fastening device 300-   Groove/notch 310-   Receiving opening 320-   First fastening opening 330-   Second fastening opening 340-   Bolt/screw 350-   Expansion element 400-   Median plane M-   Angle β

1. A diving flipper (10) for propulsion in water, the flippercomprising: a shoe part (100) for receiving a foot of a user; a flipperpart (200) having two ribs (210) and a blade (220) fastened to the ribs(210), wherein the ribs (210) are arranged on both sides of a medianplane (M) of the diving flipper (10), and each have dorsal and plantaredges (250, 251) in the transverse direction of the ribs (210) anddistal and proximal ends (260, 261) in the longitudinal direction of theribs (210); and fastening devices (300) for fastening the ribs (210) tothe shoe part (100), wherein the dorsal edge (250) of at least one rib(210) is inclined relative to the median plane (M) of the diving flipper(10), so that the dorsal edges (250) have less of a distance to eachother than the plantar edges (251) of the ribs (210) to each other,wherein the ribs (210) elastically deform relative to each other atleast in sections in the direction of the median plane (M) of the divingflipper (10) in the event of an external application of force to theflipper part (200) in the plantar direction.
 2. The diving flipperaccording to claim 1, wherein the dorsal edges (250) of both ribs (210)are inclined toward each other to the median plane (M) of the divingflipper (10), so that the dorsal edges (250) have less of a distance toeach other than the plantar edges (251) of the ribs (210) to each other.3. The diving flipper according to claim 1, wherein the dorsal edges(250) are inclined to the median plane (M) in the transverse directionof the ribs (210) by an angle (β) of 10° to 60°.
 4. The diving flipperaccording to claim 1, wherein at least one rib (210) is comprised of atleast one first and one second layer (211, 212), wherein the secondlayer (212) is shorter than the first layer (211).
 5. The diving flipperaccording to claim 4, wherein the first and/or second layer (211, 212)is tapered in the direction of the distal end (260) of a rib (210),wherein the second layer (212) is more strongly tapered than the firstlayer (211).
 6. The diving flipper according to claim 4, wherein thefirst and the second layer (211, 212) are connected with each other byan adhesive (213).
 7. The diving flipper according to claim 1, whereinthe ribs (210) are manufactured out of glass fiber, carbon fiber orbamboo laminate.
 8. The diving flipper according to claim 1, wherein thedistal ends (260) of the ribs (210) have a larger distance to each otherthan the proximal ends (261) of the ribs (210) to each other.
 9. Thediving flipper according to claim 1, wherein at least one expansionelement (400) is arranged on a distal end section (262) of at least onerib (210) and is configured to expand the extension of the rib (210) ina transverse direction.
 10. The diving flipper according to claim 9,wherein the expansion elements (400) have a distance to thecorresponding rib (210), wherein the distance measures between 5 and 15mm.
 11. The diving flipper according to claim 3, wherein the angle (β)is 20° to 50°.
 12. The diving flipper according to claim 3, wherein theangle (β) is 30° to 50°.
 13. The diving flipper according to claim 3,wherein the angle (β) is 45°.
 14. The diving flipper according to claim4, wherein each of the ribs (210) is comprised of at least one first andone second layer (211, 212), wherein the second layer (212) is shorterthan the first layer (211).
 15. The diving flipper according to claim 9,wherein at least one expansion element (400) is arranged on a distal endsection (262) of each of the ribs (210).
 16. The diving flipperaccording to claim 9, wherein the transverse direction is a plantardirection.
 17. The diving flipper according to claim 10, wherein thedistance is 10 mm.